Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) expects the Republic of Korea Air Force to place a follow-on order for an additional 80 KF-21 fighter jets…
While KAI is scheduled to deliver eight KF-21 aircraft to the air force by the end of 2026, the company anticipates a second-phase follow-on order.
KAI currently holds a contract for 40 KF-21s for the South Korean Air Force.
Production of the initial 40 aircraft is proceeding according to schedule, while an additional 80 are expected to be ordered in the second phase.
The first 40 Block 1 KF-21s are optimized primarily for air-to-air missions.
The Block 2 aircraft planned for the second production phase will feature comprehensive air-to-ground strike capabilities.
Although classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, the KF-21 is equipped with an advanced sensor and weapons suite, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an infrared search and track (IRST) system.
The aircraft’s planned armament includes MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and South Korean-developed long-range cruise missiles.
The KF-21 Boramae measures 16.9 meters in length, has an 11.2-meter wingspan, and a maximum takeoff weight of 25,600 kilograms.
Powered by two F414-GE-400K turbofan engines, the aircraft reaches speeds of Mach 1.81 and offers a combat radius of approximately 1,000 kilometers.
The KF-21 carries up to 7,700 kilograms of external payload across 10 hardpoints—six under the wings and four under the fuselage.
Its weapon suite includes a 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon, along with Meteor, IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The Block 2 configuration focuses on expanding air-to-ground capabilities, while the future Block 3 variant is planned to incorporate internal weapons bays to further enhance the aircraft’s low-observability characteristics…